December: Safe Toy Awareness Month

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Important Reminder — Get vaccinated for the love of yourself, your family and your community. Get the booster too.

Amid Covid-19 pandemic, especially new Omicron variants around, make sure to -

1. Wear a mask when necessary for protection (e.g., in a public place
or in a crowded indoor).
2. Wash your hands often.
3. Watch 6 feet away distancing (depending on situations).

Other

Important Reminder — A recent Covid-19 uptick, based on CDC data, involved an increase in hospitalizations.

* Wearing a mask is a care act with public health conscience, i.e., protecting yourself and others.

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November: Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is lung cancer awareness month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the United States and worldwide. Smoking is the killer in approximately 90% of men and 80% of women who have died of lung cancer.

The good news: — Lung cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Here are top 8 strategies to prevent lung cancer:

1.    Don’t start smoking.
2.    Quit smoking.
3.    Avoid secondhand smoking.
4.    Get your home tested for radon.
5.    Minimize the exposure to environmental carcinogens at home    and at work.
6.    Eat plenty of nutritious foods, esp. fruits and vegetables.
7.    Lung cancer can be symptomless; however, visit your doctor if you experience any of following signs:

•  A persistent cough that does not go away
•  Onset of wheezing
•  Shortness of breath
•  Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis
•  Coughing up blood
•  Weight loss or loss of appetite

8.    Be aware of your family history and genetic susceptibility.

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Important Reminder — Get vaccinated for the love of yourself, your family and your community.

Amid Covid-19 pandemic, especially Delta cases surge in the US, make sure to -

1. Wear a mask when in a public place or in a crowded indoor.
2. Wash your hands often.
3. Watch 6 feet away distancing.

* Wearing a mask is a caring act that demonstrates a public health conscience.

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

September: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 

Losing a child to cancer is unthinkable pain and despair to all parents, that’s why we work to prevent the worst loss.

The most common childhood cancers are brain tumors, leukemia and lymphoma. Although what causes childhood cancer remains unclear, most childhood cancers result from inherited gene mutation or environmental factors or both.

Because genetic errors occur randomly and unpredictably, there’s little you can do to prevent them. However, early life exposure to toxic substances can be harmful to children and affect their health decades later. Therefore, let’s start cancer prevention from childhood.

Here are 10 ways to protect safety of your kids while raising awareness of childhood cancer: 
1.      Avoid or minimize chemicals/toxins exposure.
2.      Avoid the exposure of your kids to secondhand smoke.
3.      Avoid or minimize radiation exposure.
4.      Limit cell or mobile phone use.
5.      Practice sun protection.
6.      Prevent childhood obesity by healthy diet and regular exercise.
7.      Drink safe, filtered water.
8.      Prevent infectious diseases.
9.      Educate teens to practice safe sex and vaccinate.
10.  Ensure your kids’ regular checkups and early detection.

August: Summer Sun Safety 

Summer heat is still on, so take precautions in key areas:

1. Continue UV safety practice as often advised to prevent skin cancer.
2. Seek shade, wear sunglasses, skin-protective clothing, and apply sunscreens.
3. Protect infants with a hat, an umbrella or tent and sunscreen to make sure they are not exposed to direct sun.
4. Drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
5. Check out family members and friends esp. the elderly and those without air-conditioning.
6. Self-examine your skin head-to-toe monthly.

Important Reminder — Amid Covid-19 pandemic, especially new cases surge in some states of the US, make sure to

1. Wear a mask when in a public place.
2. Wash your hands often.
3. Watch 6 feet away distancing.

* Wearing a mask is a care act with public health conscience, i.e., protecting yourself and others.

2023

Important Reminder — A recent Covid-19 uptick, based on CDC data in July, involved an increase in hospitalizations.

* Wearing a mask is a care act with public health conscience, i.e., protecting yourself and others.
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July: UV Safety Month

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a known carcinogen. UV from the sun can get through to you not only on sunny or summer days and at the beach, but also cloudy and hazy days. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like water, sand, and snow. Here are top 6 tips for your UV safety.

1.  Say “Good bye” to indoor tanning.
2.  Protect against UV rays by seeking shade, wearing protective cloths, etc. and follow our “SHADE” guide.
3.  Check the UV index. EPA and the National Weather Service provide the UV Index to help you plan outdoor activities.
4.  Avoid the strongest, most hazardous sun exposure, i.e. the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight saving time.
5.  Use sunscreens with “Broad Spectrum” (UVA/UVB protection) and with SPF 15 or above.
6.  Important – Remember that UV radiation can reach you all year round!

June: Men’s Health & Cancer Awareness Month

Let’s take special care of our men this month. Health is the greatest gift for Dad’s Big Day. Here are 8 Essential Checkups or Screenings for men’s health and cancer prevention.

1.      Regular physical exam, at least annually for men over 50 years old.
2.      Cardiovascular checkup, including blood pressure, ECG (electrocardiogram), and blood tests (e.g. blood sugar, cholesterol level, etc.)
3.      Chest X-Ray to screen lung cancer, esp. those smokers at age of 45+.
4.      PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test for early detection of prostate cancer.
5.      Colonoscopy for colorectal health, esp. for men over 50. Early detection and treatment of polyps (benign growth) help prevent the developing of colon cancer.
6.      HIV test for sexually active adults concerned about their risk for STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
7.      Hemoccult, a screen for microscopic amount of blood from the stool, which could be an early indication of digestive tract ulcer, polyps or colon cancer.
8.      Skin cancer screening, esp. if there is any suspicious, new growth or change in the skin.

Remember self-exams too.

Revised amid Covid-19 pandemic:

May: Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May: Skin Cancer Awareness Month

More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun. Sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a known carcinogen. However, skin cancer is one of preventable cancers.

Melanoma is a malignant form of skin cancer, while non-melanoma skin cancer is treatable.

Watch out symptoms of skin cancer or changes in the skin, such as
· A small lump (or mole) with shiny, waxy, pale color
· A red lump (or mole) that becomes firm
· A sore that doesn’t heal or a spot that bleeds.
· Rough and scaly patches, red or brown.

Key actions for skin care and sun protection include (but not limited to):

• _ Avoid overexposure to UV radiation and to sun at its peak time.
• _ Apply a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.
• _ Self-examine your skin by A (asymmetry), B (border), C (color), D (diameter).
• _ See you doctor for early detection and treatment, if any suspicious, new growth.

During Covid-19 pandemic, there is confusion or delusion about UV as a disinfectant against coronavirus. Be wary of this kind of claim or hype. Trust solid science, because at different wavelengths, UV light has different effects including skin damage and skin cancer.

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More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun. However, skin cancer is one of preventable cancers.

Melanoma is a malignant form of skin cancer, while non-melanoma skin cancer is treatable.

Watch out symptoms of skin cancer or changes in the skin, such as
·   A small lump (or mole) with shiny, waxy, pale color
·   A red lump (or mole) that becomes firm
·   A sore that doesn’t heal or a spot that bleeds.
·   Rough and scaly patches, red or brown.

Key actions for skin care and sun protection include (but not limited to):

·   Avoid overexposure to UV radiation and to sun at its peak time.

·   Apply a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.

·   Self-examine your skin by A (asymmetry), B (border), C (color), D (diameter).

·   See you doctor for early detection and treatment, if any suspicious, new growth.

April: Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month

Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheek, mouth, sinuses, and pharynx (throat). Here are top 5 tips to prevent oral cancer.

1.      Quit smoking any type of tobacco product.
2.      Curb alcohol consumption. Alcohol is associated with 75-80% of cancer of throat and oral cavity.
3.      Limit sun exposure. When in the sun, use sun block to protect your skin and the lips.
4.      See your dentist regularly for oral cancer screening. Check it out with the dentist if you see or feel any white, red or gray patches, lumps, and other suspicious issues.
5.      Have cancer-fighting diet. Eat lots of colorful vegetables and fruits, and plan-based foods.

March: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but most of it is preventable!

The following are known risk factors:

1.      Aging: Over 90% of colon cancer occurred in people aged 50 or older.
2.      Colon polyps: i.e. abnormal growth inside the colon that most colon cancer develops first.
3.      Personal history: e.g. a person who had colon cancer before, women who have a history of ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer.
4.      Family history: colon cancer in primary or close relatives
5.      Inherited/genetic syndromes
6.      Inflammatory bowel conditions
7.      Race: African-Americans have a greater risk.
8.      Lifestyle factors: including –

• SAD diet (i.e. the standard American diet featuring processed red meat, low-fiber, low-fruit/veggie, and high-fat)
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking

Two immediate actions you can take:
1.      Get screened.
2.      Change your lifestyle.

February: World Cancer Day 

World Cancer Day (Feb. 4^th, each year) is a global observance and initiative. Much focus goes towards raising awareness of cancer, reducing risks of cancer, and learning how to prevent, detect and treat cancer early.

February is American Heart Health Month.

The good news is heart disease mostly can be preventable just as most cancers! The better news is that you can prevent these chronic illnesses altogether! CancerPreventionDaily provides expert insights and sound advice – on what cancer and cardiovascular disease have in common, and how to make better health choices and achieve preventive results.

January: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Message: Cervical cancer is preventable!

Here is cervical cancer prevention Checklist:

• Take regular Papanicolaou (Pap) test to detect any precancer.
• Get screening for human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
• Get vaccinated to prevent HPV infection.
• Have regular check-ups with your doctor.
• Stay away from unprotected sex.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Treat pre-cancerous cells without delay.

The key to saving lives is to get cancer screening exams regardless of age, especially when you are concerned about the likelihood to develop cancer because of personal or family medical history.

————– Revised to fit

January: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Message: Cervical cancer is preventable!

Here is cervical cancer prevention Checklist:

-  Take regular Papanicolaou (Pap) test to detect any precancerous cells or changes.
-  Get screening for human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
-  Get vaccinated to prevent HPV infection.
-  Have regular check-ups with your doctor.
-  Stay away from unprotected sex.
-  Maintain a healthy lifestyle and healthy weight.
-  Treat pre-cancerous cells without delay.

The key to saving lives is to get cancer screening exams regardless of age, especially when you are concerned about the likelihood to develop cancer because of personal or family medical history.